An annual national survey of physicians found per diem payments and total hospital payments rose from 2014-15 to 2015-16, according to MD Ranger, a physician contract payment solutions company.
The survey offers a snapshot of 24,000 contracts from hospitals, medical groups, dialysis centers, specialty and long-term care providers. Its benchmarks include call coverage, medical direction, medical staff leadership, diagnostic testing, clinical professional services and hospital-based physician services.
Here are six key takeaways from the report.
1. Call coverage per diem payment rates grew an average of 5 percent year over year.
2. The annual cost of administrative contracts grew 7 percent, though hourly rates remained flat. This is attributed to an increase in hours worked.
3. Total hospital direction and administrative service payments grew 25 percent year over year.
4. Obstetrical hospitalists/laborists experienced a 25 percent increase in annual payments.
5. Cardiologists' scope and cost of coverage and direction contracts increased.
6. Neurologists' coverage and direction contracts grew, according to MD Ranger. This growth was also noted at small and rural hospitals and attributed to the growth in telemedicine and neuro-interventional stroke services.
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